#1 of 72 #1 comedy movie of 1985
1985 · Adventure, Sci-Fi
$385.1M worldwide · 26% of the chart's total
$214.6M US & Canada · 56% $170.5M elsewhere · 44%
Comedy box office · 1985
Comedy Box Office 1985: Highest-Grossing Comedy Movies
Back to the Future (1985) is the highest-grossing comedy movie released in 1985, with $385.1M worldwide, ahead of The Jewel of the Nile (1985) at $96.8M and The Goonies (1985) at $64.5M. 72 comedy films released in 1985 report a worldwide gross, $1.5B in all, 85% of it from the US & Canada. One film crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is down 19% on 1984, whose releases took $1.9B. By language, English leads with $1.5B across 66 comedy releases.
- 1985 releases with a gross
- 72
- combined worldwide
- $1.5B
- film crossed $100M
- 1
- vs 1984
- −19%
#1 of 72 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Comedy Hits of 1985?
Back to the Future (1985) leads with $385.1M, 26% of the total. The top 5 together took $666.1M, 44% of what all 72 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Comedy Release of 1985, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 72. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 1985.
- 1 Jul 3, 1985 US and Canada: $214.6M Rest of the world: $170.5M Worldwide: $385.1M
- 2 Dec 11, 1985 US and Canada: $76M Rest of the world: $20.8M Worldwide: $96.8M
- 3 Jun 7, 1985 US and Canada: $63.7M Rest of the world: $827.7K Worldwide: $64.5M
- 4 Dec 6, 1985 US and Canada: $60.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $60.1M
- 5 May 31, 1985 US and Canada: $50.6M Rest of the world: $9M Worldwide: $59.6M
- 6
Mar 29, 1985 US and Canada: $55.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $55.6M - 7
National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985)Jul 26, 1985 US and Canada: $49.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $49.4M
Jul 26, 1985 · English · Adventure, Comedy $49.4M worldwide - 8
May 22, 1985 US and Canada: $40.8M Rest of the world: $5M Worldwide: $45.8M - 9
Aug 9, 1985 US and Canada: $41M Rest of the world: $1.3K Worldwide: $41M - 10
Aug 1, 1985 US and Canada: $23.8M Rest of the world: $15.1M Worldwide: $38.9M - 11
Aug 23, 1985 US and Canada: $33.1M Rest of the world: $695 Worldwide: $33.1M - 12
Dec 25, 1985 US and Canada: $30.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $30.9M - 13
Apr 12, 1985 US and Canada: $27.4M Rest of the world: $1K Worldwide: $27.4M - 14
Jun 14, 1985 US and Canada: $26.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $26.7M - 15
Mar 22, 1985 US and Canada: $25.8M Rest of the world: $993 Worldwide: $25.8M - 16
Aug 9, 1985 US and Canada: $24.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $24.7M - 17
Mar 29, 1985 US and Canada: $22.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $22.9M - 18
Mar 22, 1985 US and Canada: $20.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $20.5M - 19
Aug 16, 1985 US and Canada: $19.9M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $19.9M - 20
Apr 12, 1985 US and Canada: $18.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.4M - 21
Mar 1, 1985 US and Canada: $18.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $18.1M - 22
Nov 22, 1985 US and Canada: $15.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $15.1M - 23
Dec 13, 1985 US and Canada: $14.6M Rest of the world: $2.5K Worldwide: $14.6M - 24
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)Oct 11, 1985 US and Canada: $14.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.4M Oct 11, 1985 · English · Action, Adventure, Thriller $14.4M worldwide - 25
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)Aug 16, 1985 US and Canada: $14.2M Rest of the world: $3.4K Worldwide: $14.2M Aug 16, 1985 · English · Sci-Fi, Horror, Comedy $14.2M worldwide - 26
Dec 9, 1985 US and Canada: $14.2M Rest of the world: $1.1K Worldwide: $14.2M - 27
Nov 14, 1985 US and Canada: $14.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $14.1M - 28
Aug 2, 1985 US and Canada: $14M Rest of the world: $1K Worldwide: $14M - 29
Apr 12, 1985 US and Canada: $13.1M Rest of the world: $715 Worldwide: $13.1M - 30
Aug 7, 1985 US and Canada: $13M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $13M - 31
Aug 30, 1985 US and Canada: $12.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $12.5M - 32
Apr 26, 1985 US and Canada: $11.5M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.5M - 33
Oct 25, 1985 US and Canada: $11.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $11.1M - 34
May 3, 1985 US and Canada: $10.8M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.8M - 35
Sep 13, 1985 US and Canada: $10.6M Rest of the world: $22.5K Worldwide: $10.6M - 36
May 2, 1985 US and Canada: $10.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.6M - 37
Apr 19, 1985 US and Canada: $10.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.6M - 38
Oct 11, 1985 US and Canada: $10.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.3M - 39
Feb 15, 1985 US and Canada: $10.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10.2M - 40
Nov 15, 1985 US and Canada: $10M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $10M - 41
Jan 11, 1985 US and Canada: $9.4M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $9.4M - 42
Feb 8, 1985 US and Canada: $8.7M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.7M - 43
Jul 19, 1985 US and Canada: $8.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $8.6M - 44
Jun 14, 1985 US and Canada: $8.6M Rest of the world: $216 Worldwide: $8.6M - 45
Feb 22, 1985 US and Canada: $7.6M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.6M - 46
Nov 8, 1985 US and Canada: $7.2M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $7.2M - 47
Apr 12, 1985 US and Canada: $6.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.3M - 48
May 10, 1985 US and Canada: $6.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.1M - 49
Feb 8, 1985 US and Canada: $6.1M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $6.1M - 50
Sep 20, 1985 US and Canada: $5.3M Rest of the world: Worldwide: $5.3M
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 1985?
Of the top 10, Spies Like Us (1985) earned the biggest share at home (100% in the US & Canada), while Back to the Future (1985) made 44% of its gross abroad. Across all 72 films, $1.3B (85%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Back to the Future (1985) $385.1M $214.6M US & Canada · 56% $170.5M elsewhere · 44%
- 2 The Jewel of the Nile (1985) $96.8M $76M US & Canada · 79% $20.8M elsewhere · 21%
- 3 The Goonies (1985) $64.5M $63.7M US & Canada · 99% $827.7K elsewhere · 1%
- 4 Spies Like Us (1985) $60.1M $60.1M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 5 Fletch (1985) $59.6M $50.6M US & Canada · 85% $9M elsewhere · 15%
- 6 Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) $55.6M $55.6M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 7 National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) $49.4M $49.4M US & Canada · 100% elsewhere · 0%
- 8 Brewster's Millions (1985) $45.8M $40.8M US & Canada · 89% $5M elsewhere · 11%
- 9 Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) $41M $41M US & Canada · 100% $1.3K elsewhere · <1%
- 10 Weird Science (1985) $38.9M $23.8M US & Canada · 61% $15.1M elsewhere · 39%
Gross bands
How Many 1985 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
1 of 72 films crossed $100M and took $385.1M between them, 26% of the total. 32 films, 44% of the list, earned under $10M.
26% 68%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 1 film, 1% of the list $385.1M · 26% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 39 films, 54% of the list $1B · 68% of the gross
- Under $10M 32 films, 44% of the list $102.7M · 7% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 1985 Earned the Most?
July releases took the most, $446.9M from 5 films, led by Back to the Future (1985). January was the quietest month ($9.5M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Tuff Turf (1985) $9.5M Tuff Turf (1985)
- February Feb Lost in America (1985) $36.1M Lost in America (1985)
- March Mar Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985) $144.9M Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985)
- April Apr Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) $87.4M Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
- May May Fletch (1985) $134.4M Fletch (1985)
- June Jun The Goonies (1985) $99.8M The Goonies (1985)
- July Jul Back to the Future (1985) $446.9M Back to the Future (1985)
- August Aug Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) $215.4M Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
- September Sep After Hours (1985) $21.1M After Hours (1985)
- October Oct Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) $37.8M Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)
- November Nov King Solomon's Mines (1985) $49.4M King Solomon's Mines (1985)
- December Dec The Jewel of the Nile (1985) $220M The Jewel of the Nile (1985)
Last 10 years
How Does 1985 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 1984 earned the most: $1.9B from 76 films, led by Beverly Hills Cop (1984). 1985 took $1.5B.
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 12 films | 12 | $181.6M | – | Silver Streak (1976) $51.1M |
| 1977 24 films · +180% | 24 | $509.1M | +180% | Smokey and the Bandit (1977) $126.8M |
| 1978 24 films · +12% | 24 | $568.8M | +12% | Every Which Way But Loose (1978) $85.2M |
| 1979 37 films · +45% | 37 | $823.9M | +45% | 1941 (1979) $92.5M |
| 1980 54 films · +38% | 54 | $1.1B | +38% | The Blues Brothers (1980) $115.2M |
| 1981 42 films · −34% | 42 | $752.2M | −34% | Arthur (1981) $95.5M |
| 1982 55 films · +42% | 55 | $1.1B | +42% | Tootsie (1982) $177.2M |
| 1983 49 films · −8% | 49 | $979.6M | −8% | Terms of Endearment (1983) $108.4M |
| 1984 76 films · +90% | 76 | $1.9B | +90% | Beverly Hills Cop (1984) $316.4M |
| 1985 72 films · −19% | 72 | $1.5B | −19% | Back to the Future (1985) $385.1M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Comedy Movies Speak in 1985?
English-language comedy films took $1.5B across 66 films, 98% of the total, ahead of Spanish-language comedy films ($596.6K) and French-language comedy films ($345.3K).
1985 Comedy Box Office by Language
Archive
Comedy Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1921 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2019 leads with $16.1B, led by The Lion King (2019).
2020s 7 years · $40.8B
2010s 10 years · $118B
- 2019 $16.1B #1 The Lion King (2019)
- 2018 $11.8B #1 Incredibles 2 (2018)
- 2017 $12.9B #1 Despicable Me 3 (2017)
- 2016 $12.4B #1 Finding Dory (2016)
- 2015 $14.3B #1 Minions (2015)
- 2014 $9.3B #1 Big Hero 6 (2014)
- 2013 $10.7B #1 Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- 2012 $10.2B #1 Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- 2011 $9.8B #1 Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
- 2010 $10.4B #1 Toy Story 3 (2010)
2000s 10 years · $79.4B
- 2009 $9.2B #1 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
- 2008 $9.3B #1 Mamma Mia! (2008)
- 2007 $10.3B #1 Shrek the Third (2007)
- 2006 $8.4B #1 Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
- 2005 $8B #1 Madagascar (2005)
- 2004 $7.5B #1 Shrek 2 (2004)
- 2003 $8.1B #1 Finding Nemo (2003)
- 2002 $6.4B #1 Men in Black II (2002)
- 2001 $6.6B #1 Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- 2000 $5.7B #1 What Women Want (2000)
1990s 10 years · $33.7B
- 1999 $5.4B #1 Toy Story 2 (1999)
- 1998 $4.2B #1 There's Something About Mary (1998)
- 1997 $3.6B #1 Men in Black (1997)
- 1996 $3.2B #1 101 Dalmatians (1996)
- 1995 $3B #1 Toy Story (1995)
- 1994 $3.6B #1 True Lies (1994)
- 1993 $2.7B #1 Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
- 1992 $2.1B #1 Sister Act (1992)
- 1991 $2.4B #1 Hook (1991)
- 1990 $3.5B #1 Ghost (1990)
1980s 10 years · $17.5B
- 1989 $3.1B #1 Back to the Future Part II (1989)
- 1988 $3B #1 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
- 1987 $2.1B #1 Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
- 1986 $2B #1 Crocodile Dundee (1986)
- 1985 $1.5B #1 Back to the Future (1985)
- 1984 $1.9B #1 Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
- 1983 $979.6M #1 Terms of Endearment (1983)
- 1982 $1.1B #1 Tootsie (1982)
- 1981 $752.2M #1 Arthur (1981)
- 1980 $1.1B #1 The Blues Brothers (1980)
1970s 10 years · $3.2B
- 1979 $823.9M #1 1941 (1979)
- 1978 $568.8M #1 Every Which Way But Loose (1978)
- 1977 $509.1M #1 Smokey and the Bandit (1977)
- 1976 $181.6M #1 Silver Streak (1976)
- 1975 $301.6M #1 The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
- 1974 $309.1M #1 Blazing Saddles (1974)
- 1973 $313.5M #1 The Sting (1973)
- 1972 $19.3M #1 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask (1972)
- 1971 $10.7M #1 Gentlemen of Fortune (1971)
- 1970 $209.7M #1 The Aristocats (1970)
1960s 10 years · $554.7M
- 1969 $66.3M #1 The Love Bug (1969)
- 1968 $98.4M #1 Funny Girl (1968)
- 1967 $162.1M #1 The Graduate (1967)
- 1966 $177.9K #1 Made in U.S.A (1966)
- 1965 $364.7K #1 Do Not Disturb (1965)
- 1964 $143.3M #1 Mary Poppins (1964)
- 1963 $61.9M #1 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
- 1962 $1.8M #1 Copacabana Palace (1962)
- 1961 $1.4M #1 Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
- 1960 $19.1M #1 The Apartment (1960)
1950s 10 years · $162M
- 1959 $231.6K #1 Some Like It Hot (1959)
- 1958 $2.1M #1 Paris Holiday (1958)
- 1957 $46.4K #1 Ali Baba Bunny (1957)
- 1956 $51.1M #1 Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
- 1955 $94M #1 Lady and the Tramp (1955)
- 1954 $3.1M #1 White Christmas (1954)
- 1953 $9M #1 Father of Four (1953)
- 1952 $2.2M #1 Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- 1951 $56.4K #1 The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
- 1950 $16K #1 Rabbit of Seville (1950)
1940s 10 years · $188M
- 1949 $217.9K #1 Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
- 1948 $29.7K #1 Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948)
- 1947 $1.1M #1 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)
- 1946 $37.7M #1 Song of the South (1946)
- 1945 $21.9M #1 The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
- 1944 $31.7K #1 What’s Cookin’ Doc? (1944)
- 1943 $1.3M #1 The Marry-Go-Round (1943)
- 1942 $723 #1 The Palm Beach Story (1942)
- 1941 $2.3M #1 Charley’s Aunt (1941)
- 1940 $123.3M #1 Pinocchio (1940)
1930s 10 years · $31.5M
- 1939 $26.1M #1 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- 1938 $18K #1 Bringing Up Baby (1938)
- 1937 $19.3K #1 Stage Door (1937)
- 1936 $4.7M #1 After the Thin Man (1936)
- 1935 $532K #1 Sylvia Scarlett (1935)
- 1934 $43.5K #1 It Happened One Night (1934)
- 1933 $108.6K #1 Duck Soup (1933)
- 1932 $12.2K #1 Fanny (1932)
- 1931 $8.3K #1 Marius (1931)
- 1930 $1K #1 Madam Satan (1930)
FAQ
Comedy Box Office 1985: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 72 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing comedy movie in 1985?
Back to the Future (1985) leads with $385.1M worldwide, $214.6M of it in the US & Canada. Next come The Jewel of the Nile (1985) at $96.8M and The Goonies (1985) at $64.5M.
How much did comedy movies released in 1985 earn?
72 comedy films released in 1985 report a worldwide gross, $1.5B in all, or $20.9M per film on average. 1984 releases took $1.9B.
How many comedy movies released in 1985 made $1 billion?
None. 1 film crossed $100 million, led by Back to the Future (1985) with $385.1M.
How is the 1985 comedy box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 1985. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 1985 comedy box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.